Steve Murchie, with whom we have climbed and skied in the old days, came back for a quick visit to Chamonix. He brought with him two Colorado friends, Terri and Brooks.

Steve, Terri and Brooks.

We started with a climb in the Aiguilles Rouges called Somone. This is the party ahead of us, on pitch 4 of 7.

The Razor's edge, pitch 3.

On day 2, we made the journey to the local ice climbing destination, the Mer de Glace. The approach involves a long series of ladders. Each passing year marks the addition of another few meters of ladder as the glacier retreats and thins. Incredibly enough, when Kathy and I first came to the Alps to climb, in 1980, not a single ladder in this image was needed to get to the glacier.

It's a bit of a walk to the good ice climbing, and occasionally amusing.

A little icy wander on the Mer de Glace.

Working our way back to the Montenvers cog railway station at the end of the day.

On day 3, Steve and Brook join Mark for a climb of the Aiguille d'Entrèves. Some skeptical looks as we prepare to board the Panoramique lift.

For some reason, I have very few photos on the Entrèves. But here's one!